The 403 Squadron records state that on 5th August 1942 this aircraft was damaged in pulling out of a dive at 360 mph, the stresses on the airframe caused the mainplane to buckle. The pilot landed at Catterick. The aircraft appears to have been flown away for repair by Heston Aircraft Ltd which is recorded in it's history.
Pilot - Sgt Harry James Dowding RCAF.
Spitfire EN797 was built to contract B.981687/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Castle Bromwich and was first test flown on 29th April 1942. On 2nd May 1942 it was flown to 45 MU at Kinloss and was taken on charge by 403 Squadron on 7th June 1942 at Martlesham Heath. On 19th June 1942 it moved with the squadron to Catterick. It undertook the 403 Squadron detachment to Manston in early July 1942 before returning to Catterick with them. On 5th August 1942 it sustained this Cat.B/FA damage as stated and three days later it was flown to Heston Aircraft Ltd. at Heston airfield for a repair in works. On completion of repair it was packed and shipped on either the 'City of Lille' or the 'Baron Inchcape' to Middle East, arriving on 19th December 1942 then, via the Persian Corridor, to the Russia, officially being transferred to the Russian Air Force on 17th March 1943. A different end to the history to most I have recorded.
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